HC Deb 05 August 1976 vol 916 cc1008-9W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will extend the time for the entitlement of a Government grant towards the building of the Liverpool Polytechnic.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

A Government grant is not involved. In response to a submission from the Liverpool Education Authority, my Department authorised capital expenditure of £3 million within the 1976–77 further education major building starts programme for a project at the Liverpool Polytechnic. The authority has recently informed the Department that this allocation will not be taken up. It is open to the authority to include the project in its submission for the 1977–78 programme.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations his Department has received concerning an extension of time for the entitlement of a Government grant towards the building of the Liverpool Polytechnic.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

In addition to correspondence received from my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange, the Liverpool Education Authority has inquired about the possibility of an extension of time and my Department has explained that projects in the 1976–77 further education major building programme were required to start by 31st March 1977.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the anticipated total cost of the building of the Liverpool Polytechnic; and when is the anticipated completion date.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

The total cost and completion date are dependent on the siting and scale of the development which have still to be decided by the Liverpool education authority.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effect the cuts in public expenditure will have on the building of the Liverpool Polytechnic.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

As announced, the planned level of capital expenditure on educational buildings in 1977–78 has been reduced. There must be considerable doubt as to whether a substantial project at Liverpool Polytechnic could be included in the 1977–78 starts programme.